Queer and Trans Bodily Autonomy

The fight for reproductive justice is a vital component to the lives of women, all women. Trans* people have been historically left out of discussions revolving reproduction and the rights over the autonomy of their own bodies, so when it came to fighting for reproductive justice, trans* people have been up front, alongside cisgender women of colour.

For trans* people, the fight for reproductive justice and the fight for trans* rights are one in the same. Systemic oppression and injustice, along with a plethora of socioeconomic barriers are placed on trans* people, stopping them from obtaining the base power that is central to reproductive justice.

Transgender individuals can face stigma and discrimination in all aspects of life. In a recent report, 63% of transgender and gender non-conforming respondents reported experiencing an act of discrimination that had a major impact on their quality of life and financial or emotional stability. Nearly a quarter of respondents experienced three or more major life-disrupting acts of discrimination, such as loss of a job due to bias, eviction due to bias, or incarceration due to gender identity. Basic human needs, such as access to quality health care, economic security, and the ability to live free from violence, are essential to reproductive justice but are not a reality for many transgender individuals. (2015)

Due to these systemic issues, trans* people who can become pregnant can face an even greater difficulty in accessing reproductive services. “Due to discrimination and exclusion, almost a third of all trans and non-binary people delay or avoid necessary healthcare, especially sexual and reproductive care” (Santo, 2022). By gendering reproductive justice, it contributes to the erasure of the real pain and struggles that trans* people experience.

It also perpetuates the idea that reproductive justice is meant to be fought only by those who can get pregnant, when it is a fight that everyone has a part to play in. Anyone and everyone can and should advocate for reproductive justice, regardless of one’s gender or ability to give birth or get pregnant.

YOU DESERVE TO HAVE COMPASSIONATE AND RESPECTFUL HEALTH CARE REGARDLESS OF YOUR GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION. TRANS EQUALITY IS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE.

(SISTERSONG, 2019)

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